Conveyer



Oct. 1 9, 1948. V v.A. RAYBURN Erm. 2,451,975

. coiEYER Filed nep. 21. 1945 a sheets-S9991 A T TORNEY Oct. 19, 1948. v. A. RAYBURN ETAL 2,451,975

coNvEYER Filed uw. 21', 1945 a sheets-sheet 2 IN VEN TORS e .3., ac. Rosso/v n s l' er g Q H N Arron/ver L/A. RA yal/RN Oct. 19, i948. v. A. RAYBURN ET Al. 2,451,975

coNvEYER Filed Dec. 21, 1945 a sheets-sheet s O1 in /NVE/vrops VA. RA YBUR/V D. C. ROSSO/V A r Tb RNEV V. A. RAYBURN TAL 2,451,975

Oct. 19, 1948.

CONVEYER 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 4

Filed Dec. 21, 1945 IN1/EN ro/Ps MA. RA VBI/RN 0.6. ROBSON ATTORNEY Oct. 19, 1948. v. A. RAYBURN ETAL 2,451,975

CONVEYER Filed D60. 21, 1945 8 She'ets-Sheet 5 /NVEN rolas "J VA. RA BUR/V .0.0. R055 ON ATTOPNEYM v Oct. 19, 1948. v. A, RA'YBURN ETAL 2,451,975

CONVEYER Filed Dec. 21, 1945 s sheets-sheet 7 /NvENro/as 11 VA. RA YBURN D. C. ROBSON A T TORNEI Oct. 19, 1948. v. A. RAYBURN ET AL CONVEYER 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Dec. 21, 1945 /N VEN TOPS uA. RA YBUR/v 0.o. R055 QN A T TORNEI Patented Get. 19, 1948 CONVEYER "Vincent A.- Rayburn and Duer C. Robson, Baltimore, Md., assignors to Western Electric Com pany, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 21, 1945, Serial No. 636,405

14 Claims. l This invention relates to conveyers, and more particularly to conveyors for transporting reels.

In the operation of machines for making artainers or packages including reels, or the like, of the strands must be transported to the machines. For the greatest ease in the operation of such machines, reserve supplies of the con- -tainers of the strands must be positioned at easily accessible spots relative to the machines. However, heavy containers are dflicult to move and require much manual effort tomove them to locations convenient to the machines. Also, some of the'machines of a group may use one type of strand while others of the same group use another type of strand. Thus, packages of one type of strand must be transported to some of the group of machines While packages of another type of strand must be transported to others. An object of the invention is to provide new and improved conveyers.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved conveyers of a type which selectively load different articles upon different conveyer' elements and selectively unload the articles from the diierent conveyer elements.

A conveyer forming one specific embodiment of the invention includes a hook for holding a reel and a second hook for holding a second reel. A conveyer chain traveling over a guide track extending along a predetermined path carries the hooks over a hoist'positioned below the path. Fluid-pressure means controlled by a valve serves as the motive means for the hoist.` A tripping means located on one side of the track is carried by the chain in association with the :first hook, and a second tripping means located on the other side of the track is carried by the chain y trollable driven clutch member of the three-member clutch may be selectively engaged with either one of .the driver clutch members and serves to open the valve when actuated by either of the driver clutch members so as to permit the operation of the hoist. Thus, a reel having one type of wire thereon may be automatically loaded on 'ticles from strands, large numbers of reels, cononly one of the hooks, and a reel having. a second type of wire thereon may be automatically loaded only on the otherjhook by -normally controlled selective settings of the driven clutch member. An unloader for unloading reels from 'the first hook has driving'means operable by trip rolls associated with the rst hook, and a secend unloader has a second driving means operable by trip rolls associated with the second hook. The trip rolls of either hook will operate either of the driving means. However, a trippable means in the path of the second tripping means throws out a `clutch in the iirst driving means when it is actuated by the second tripping rolls f so that the rstunloader does notunload reels having one type of wire thereon may be unloaded i from the flrst hook by only the first unloader, and reels having a second type of wire thereon may be unloaded from the second hook by only the second unloader.

A complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from the following detailed description of a conveyer forming a speciiic embodiment thereof, when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a conveyer embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig.v 3 is an enlarged, schematic view of the portion of the conveyer shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sect1on taken along line 4 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal section taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 isan enlarged, fragmentary, verticalsection taken along line 1 1 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section similar to Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 ls an enlarged, fragmentary,- vertical section taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal section taken along line Ill- I0 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 11 an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sec- I tion taken along line lI-II of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged, fragmentary,` top plan View of a portion of the conveyer;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged, schematic view of a portion of la conveyer system forming an alternative embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 14 is a vertical section taken along line |4- |4 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged top plan view of a portion 'of the conveyer system shown in Fig. 13, and

Fig. 16 is a vertical section taken along line |6|6 of Fig. 15.

Referring now in detail to the drawings there is shown therein an overhead conveyer system, which includes a loader 25 (Fig. 1) and tracks 23 and 24 serving to guide an endless roller chain 2|. The chain is advanced betweenthe tracks by a sprocket 22 past the loader 25 and a -plurality of unloaders illustrated by unloaders 26 and 21 which serve machines positioned adjacent thereto. A hook assembly 30 (Fig. 2) including a hook 3| is supported by support rolls 32 and 33 (Fig. thereof. A selector roll 34 is positioned a predetermined distance to the left of the roll 32, as viewed in Fig. 2, and is carried by the chain 2| on only the track 23. A pair of trip rolls, of which a trip roll 45 is shown, is carried by the chain at a point a predetermined distance in advance of the hook assembly 30 and precedes the hook assembly 30 as the chain carries the hook assembly 30 beneath the tracks 23 and 24.

When the hook assembly 30 is advanced toward the loader 25, the trip rolls `l5-45 engage L- shaped cams of which an Lshaped cam 46 (Figs. 2 and 3) is shown, rigidly connected to a, shaft 41 and move the L-shaped cams from their fullline positions, as shown in Fig. 2, to their brokenline positions. When the cams 46-46 are moved from their full-line positions to their broken-line positions, the shaft 41 is rotated and actuates a four-way valve 52 (Fig. 3) to move a vane 53 thereof from its full-line position to its brokenline position, as shown in Fig. 3. A pipe 55 serves to connect the four-way valve 52 to a normally open valve 56, which is connected to a` pipe 51 leading to a normally closed va1ve58`. The valve 58 is connected to a supply ofv compressed air (not shown) by a pipe 59.

Assuming that the valve 56 is open and that the valve 58 has been opened as described hereinbelow, when the four-way valve 52 is actuated, as described hereinabove, it serves to connect the pipe 55 to a pipe 60 (Fig. 3), whereby the lower portion of a cylinder 6| of a hoist 62 is supplied with compressed air, and a piston 63 then is moved upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 3. A pipe 65 connected to` the upper portion of the vcylinder 6| and to the valve 52, which connects the pipe 65 to an exhaust pipe 69 at this time, serves to exhaust the air from the upper portion of the cylinder. When the piston is moved upwardly, a reel 61 positioned on a carriage 66 between stops, illustrated by a stop 68 (Fig. 2) is lifted into the path of the hook 3|. The hook assembly .30 continues to advance to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2, and the hook 3| enters a core hole 10 formed in the reel 61.

When the L-shaped cams 46-46 are moved connected with the cams 16-15 prevents accidental movement of the linkage system just described when this linkage system is in either its full-line position or its broken-line position. After the cams 15-15 are moved to their brokenline positions and the hook 3| has entered the core hole in the reel 61, the trip rolls 45-45 engage the cams -15 and move them from their broken-line positions to their full-line positions, and the links 12-12 cause the shaft 41 to y be rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as

from their full-line positions to theirbrokenviewed in Fig. 3. The cams 46-46 are moved against stop pins, of which a stop pin 10 (Fig. 2) is shown, in which positions the ends of the cams 46-46 project below the tracks 23 and 24 back into the paths of the trip rolls 45-45. When the shaft 41 is so rotated, the valve 52 is reversed, whereby compressed air is supplied by the pipe 65 to the upper portion of the cylinder 6| and is exhausted by the -pipes 60 and 69 from the lower portion of the cylinder 6|. The piston 63 and the carriage 66 of the hoist 62 then are lowered and the reel 61 having the hook 3| projecting through the core hole 10 thereof is retained on the hook 3|. As the piston 63 and the carriage 66 are lowered, guides 16-16 (Fig. 2) secured to the carriage slide downwardly on guide-ways 11--11 and guide the carriage to its lowerrnost position.

A post |0| projecting from a platform |00 of the loader 25 serves to support a mounting plate |02, which supports a normally open limit switch |05 thereon. An arm |06 serves to close the limit switch |05 when it is moved from its full-line.

position to its broken-line position shown in Fig. 2. A shoe |01 is -pivotally connected to the arm |06 and an arm ||0, which is pivotally mounted on the plate |02 and supports a counterweight 'Ehe counterweight normally maintains the shoe |01 in its full-line position, as shown in Fig. 2, at which time the contacts of the limit switch |05 are open.

When the hook assembly 30 carrying a reel ||4 approaches the hoist 62, before the trip rolls 45-45 engage the L-shaped cams 46-46, the reel ||4 engages the shoe |01 and moves it from its full-line position to its broken-line position, whereby the contacts of the limit switch |05 are closed. The contacts of the limit switch are in series with a winding ||5 of a solenoid ||6, and, when they are closed, the winding of the solenoid ||6 is energized, whereby an armature ||1 of the solenoid is raised. A piston rod |20 connected to the armature is` raised with the armature against the action of a dashpot |2|.

An arm |22 projects into an elongated slot |25 formed in the piston rod |20 and is connected to a shaft |26. The shaft |26 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, when the winding H5 of the solenoid |I6 is actuated, by the arm |22, which is rotated in a clockwise direction by the piston rod |20. When the shaft |26 is so rotated, it closes the valve 56 (Fig. 3), which shuts off the supply of compressed air to the valve 52 and the hoist 62. Thus, when the trip rolls 45-45 subsequently turn the cams 46-46 to vactuate the valve 52,the`hoist 62 cannot be raised. After the valve 56 has thus been closed, `the hook assembly 30 carrying the reel ||4 continues to advance to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2, until the reel ||4 clears the shoe |01. The counterweight then causes the levers |06 and ||0 and the shoe |01 to return to their full-line positions, whereby the contacts of the limit switch |05 are opened and the circuit to the wind-ing ||5 of the solenoid H6 is broken, whereby the armature H1 and the rod |28 then drop by gravity. However,

the arm |22 and cams |30|30remain in their v broken-line positions, as` viewed in Fig. 2, due to theftightness of the valve 88 and the fact that the elongated slot |25 formed in the piston rod |28 provides clearance for the arm\|22 during the downward movement of thefpiston rod |22 so The rolls 45-45 then wipe the cams |30|30 to return them from their broken-line positions', as shown in Fig; 3, to their full-line positions, wherebythe valve 56 (Fig.v3) is opened.' However, by

hook |32 vand is carried-by the roller chain 2|. .Support rolls |33 and |34 (Fig. 5) roll along the tracks 23 and 24', respectively, and support the hook assembly |3| and the roller chain. A selector roll |35 is positioned behind the support roll |34 the same distance as that between the support roll 32 and the selector roll 34. However, the selector roll |35 rolls along the track 24 whereas the selector roll 34 rolls along the track 23.

Trip rolls |31|31 (Fig. 7) identical with the trip rolls 45-45 are positioned ahead o i the hook assembly |3| the same distance that the trip rolls 45-'45 precede the hook assembly 30. lThe trip rolls |31|31 are designed to actuate the cams 48-46, 15-15 and |30-I38 in the same manner as the trip rolls (i-45. However, before the hoist 62 is raised when the cams 4'6-46 are tripped Eby either the trip rolls 45-45 or |31| 31 and the valve 52 is actuated, the valve 58 must -be open so that air under pressure may be supplied to the valve 52 and the hoist.

A selective -control mechanism |40 (Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) for controlling the valve 58 includes a limit switch |4| whose normally open contacts |42|42 are in series with a winding |43 of a solenoid |44 identi-cal with the solenoid 8. A dashpot |45 including a piston rod |46 having an elongated slot |4'1, an arm |48, a shaft |49, and cams ISO-|50 are identical with the dashpot |2|, the piston rod |20 having the elongated sZot |25, the arm |22,-the shaft |28 and the cams |30|30, respectively, andactuate the valve 58 in the same manner that the lastmentioned elements actuate the valve 56 except that energization of the winding |43 opens the valve 58 while energization of the winding ||5 closes the valve 56. An arm |5| (Fig. 2) of the limit switch |4| closes the contacts |42-l42 of the limit switch when moved in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. '3, by a cam |52 fastened rigidly to a. shaft |53. 'I'he shaft |53 is mounted in bearings |54| 54 (Fig. 4), and a double-faced driven clutch member |55 is splined to the shaft |53.` The clutch member |55 may be moved by a yoke |60, which is connected to a hand lever |8| by a link |82, into engagement with either a driver clutch member |58 or a driver clutch member |59, which are freely rotatable on the shaft |53.

recess m im. c). A rider m, which is identical withthe rider |85 and has lobes, of which a lobe 1| is shown, and a recess (not shown) which correspond to the lobes |81 and |88 and the recess |88 of the rider |88, but is mounted over the track 24, :is pivotally mounted at a point over the recess by an arm |14 secured to .the driver clutch member |58. Normally, the lobesv |88 and |81 of the rider |88 are inthe path of the support rolls 32 and |38 and the selector roll 34 associated with the support roll 32.

When the support roll |33 is advanced past the rider |85, it merely rocks the rider |85 vwithout pivoting the arm |88 or the driver clutch member |58 and does not open the valve 58. However, the support roll 32 and the selector roll 34 are spaced apart the same distance as that be-y tween the lobes |88 and |81 of the rider |85. Hence, when the rolls 32 and 34 engage simultaneously the lobes |88 and |61 and rai's'e the rider |85, the arm |89 and the driver clutch member |58 are rotated. Thus, if the driven clutch member |55 has been moved into engagement with the driver clutch memberA |58, the cam |52 is vrotated to close the contacts |42|42 of the limit switch |4|, whereby the valve 58 is opened and the holst 82 may be raised when *he valve 52 is actuated as the trip rolls 45--45 trip the cams 46-48, as described hereinabove. Thus, 'a reel on the hoist 62 will be loaded on the hook assembly 30 when the operator of the loader 25 sets the control mechanism |40 so that the driven clutch member |55 is in engagement with the driver clutch member |58. However, as the hook assembly 30 leaves the loader 2.5, the trip rolls --45 close the valve 58 by striking the cams ||50 so that the hoist 82 may not be supplied with air under presslne until the valve 58 is reopened. But while the driven clutch meinber is left in engagement with the driver clutch member |58, the valve 58 may be opened only when both ends of the rider are raised simultaneously. Thus, as the support roll |33 only rocks the rider |85 when the hook assembly |3| is advanced past the loader, the valve 58 is not opened and the hoist does not load a reel on the hook |32 of the hook assembly |3|.

If the driven clutch member |55 is set in engagement with the driver clutch member |59 by the operator, of the loader 25, the hoist 82 will be raised when the hook assembly |3| is advanced therepast because .the support roll |34 and the selector roll I 35 will strike simultaneously lobes, illustrated by the lobe |1|, of the rider |10, which .is positioned over the track 24 normally in the l paths of these rolls and the support roll 34. When A rider. |65 having lobes |86 and |61 (Fig. 6)

member |58 (Fig. 5), at a point directly over theL the rolls |34 and |35 strike the lobes of the rider |10, the rider |10 is raised and the arm |14 and the driver clutch member |53 are pivoted, whereby the limit switch |4| is closed and opens the valve 58. Hence, air is introduced to the valve 52 and the hoist can be raised .when the hookassembly |3| is advanced'to the hoist 62. However, the hoist 62 may not be raised to load a reel on the hook 3| of the hook assembly 30 when the control mechanism |40 is set so as to permit loading of reels on the hook |32 of the hook assembly |3| lbecause only the support roll 33 of the hook assembly 30 engages the rider |10 and only rocks it. The driver clutch member |58 is not in engagement with the driven clutch member |55 so that the raising .of the rider |65 by the rolls 32 and 34 does not close the limit switch |4|.

Thus, the control mechanism |40 of the loaderl 28 may be set in two different positions to load only the hook assembly or load o nlythe hook assembly |3|.. Other hook assemblies |80-i80 are carried by the chain and each is provided with spaced with.

one of selector rolls .|8|-|8| respect thereto like the selector roll 3 4 is spaced with respect to the honk assembly 30.V Hook assemblies |82|82 are provided with selector rolls |83-I83 corresponding to the selector roll |35 of the hook assembly |3|. Each ofthe hook assemblie`s30, |3|, |80-I80 and |82-i82 are spaced from the others a sufficient distance that it oper ates Vthe loader completely before the next hookL assembly starts to operate the loader.

The hook assemblies 30, |3l, |80-|'80 4and H12-|82 are advanced seritatim from the loader past a turner |88 (Fig. 1), which turns the hooks thereof so that they point in a direction opposite to that in winch they are advanced.

i The turner |86 and the construction of the hook assemblies enabling such orienting of the hooks vare described and claimed in copending application Serial No. 636,401, led December 21, 1945.

The hook assemblies then are advanced past the unloaders 28 and 21.

As the hook assembly |3| is advanced toward the unloader 26 (Figs. '1, 8 and 9), the support roll |33 only rocks a rider |89 (Figs. 7, 10 and 11) positioned over the track 23 and the trip rolls 45-45 engage cams |81-i81 (Fig. 11) and move these cams from their full-line positions, as shown in Fig. 7, to their broken-line positions. The cams |81-l81 are rigidly fastened. to a driver clutch member |88 which is freely rotatable on a shaft |90, and serve to rotate the clutch member |88 in counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. '1, when they are moved from their full-line positions to their broken-line positions. A driven clutch member |9| splined to the shaft |90 normally is held in engagement with the driver clutch member |88 by a compression spring |93 so that an arm |92 rigidly mounted on the shaft |90 is moved from its full-line position to its broken-line position when the cams |81-I81 are pivoted by the trip rolls |31-l31.

When the arm |92 is rotated from its full-line position to its broken-line position, it moves a link |95 connected thereto downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 7," whereby an arm |96 is rotated in a clockwise direction from its full-line position to its broken-line position. The arm |96 is connected rigidly to a driver clutch member |91 rotatably mounted on a shaft 20|. The driver clutch member |91 normally engages a driven clutch member 200 (Fig. 8) splined to the shaft 20|, and normally rotates the driven clutch member 200 and the shaft 20| in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 7,.when it is rotated by the arm |96. The shaft `20| rotates arms 202-202 (Fig. 9), and'when the arms 202-202 are so rotated, they raise a table 205, which is pivotally connected thereto and to arms, of which an arm 206 (Fig. 8) is shown, pivotally connected to a bracket 201. The arms 20S-206 are rotated from their positions shown in Fig. 7 to their positions shown in Fig. 8 when the arms 202-202 are rotated by the shaft 20| from their positions shown in Fig. 7 to their positions shown in Fig. 8, whereby the table 205 is raised. As the table 205 'is raised, it raises a concave receiving platform 2`|0 from its full-line position shown in Fig. 9 to its broken-line position. The right edge of the platform 2|0 is pivotally connected to the table 205 and is tilted -by a stop 2|5, downwardly toward the right when the table 205 is in its down position. However, as the table 205 is raised from its full-line position to its brokenline position, a spacer 2|2 depending from the platform 2|0 engages the table 205, whereby the platform .2|0 is raised to a horizontal position.-

When the table 206 is moved from its full-line position to its broken-line position, theplatform 2| 0 engages and lifts a reel 209. carried by the- A stop 2llp0iil-` hook |32 from the hook |32. tioned on the platform 2|0 retards the advancement of reel, and as the hook assembly |3| continues to move to the right, as viewed in Fig. 8, the reel 209 is slid from the'hook |32 and rests on the platform 2|0.

Afterthe hook I 82 has been withdrawn from the reel 209 on the receiving platform 2|0, the trip rolls |31-i81 are advanced out ofengagement with elongated dwell portions 2|3-2|3 of the cams |81-I81, and the weight of the reel forces the platform 2 l0 and the table 205 to their full-line positions, shownin Fig. 8, whereby the vcams {S1-|81 are returned from their brokenline positions to their vfullline positions. V

As the table 205 and the platform |90 are lowered from their broken-line positions shown in Fig. 9 to their full-line positions, the left side of the platform 210 engages the stop 2I5 and the platform 2|0 tilts downwardly to the right. The reel 209 then rolls from the receiving platform 2|0 onto a ramp 2|6 and engages a lobe 2|1 of a rider 220 and raises the lobe 2|1. The rider 220 is secured by a rod 225 pivotally to arms 22 |-22|, which are mounted on a rod 228. A lobe 222 of the rider 220 is shown resting on a reel 228 supported by the ramp 2|6, which is fllled by the arrival of the reel 209 thereon. Thus, when the newly arrived reel 209 engages the lobe 2|1 of the rider 220, therider is raised, whereby the rod 225 is raised and raises a link 221 connected thereto. When the link 221 is raised, it pivots an arm 230 in a counterclockwise direction, `as viewed in Fig. 8, whereby a shaft 23| and a yoke 232 connected to the driven clutch member 200 are rotated in a counterclockwise direction. This moves the driven clutch member 200 out of engagement with the driver clutch member |91. Consequently, when the ramp 2|6 is filled and a hook assembly following the hook assembly 13| approaches the unloader 26, the receiving platform 2| 0 will not be raised when the cams |81-I81 are actuated by trip rolls associated with that hook assembly, and reels carried thereby will not be drawn therefrom. Hence, overloading of the ramp 2|6 is prevented.

If the portion of the ramp 2|6 occupied by the reel 228 has been vacant when the newly arrived reel 209 was discharged onto the ramp 2| 6, the rider 220 would'merely rock on the rod 205 and would not raise the rod 205 when engaged by the reel 209, which would roll, down the ramp 2| 6. Thus, the driven clutch member 200 remains in engagement with the driver clutch member |91 until the ramp 2|6 is filled.

A pair of L-shaped levers 236-236 (Figs'l and 9) are rotatably mounted on pins 231-231 pro-y jecting from the ramp 2|6 and lower ends 235-235 of the levers 236-236 are urged toward' A 'pair of levers 246-246 (Fig. 1), which are identical with'the levers 286-288, are held in positions in which they stop another reel (not shown) in a position just above the reel 242, and a reel 246 and the reel 228 are similarly held by a pair of levers (not shown) and levers 248-248, respectively. Levers 249-249 hold the reel 209 out of contact with the reel 228. Thus, all of the reels positioned on the ramp 2|6 are held from contact with each other. When an operator of a machine 241 Fig. (1). which the unloader 26 supplies reels to, lifts the reel 240 (Fig. 8) from the ramp 2 I6, the torsion springs 238-238 mounted on the pins 231-231 (Fig. 1)-and the force exerted by the reel 242 on the curved pins 24|-24| moves the pins 24|-24I out of the path of the reel 252 and the reel 242 then rolls down the ramp 2|6 to the position in which the reel 240 is shown. The other reels then move down the ramp in' a similar fashion but are kept out of contact with each other by the levers 236-236 and the pins 24|-24I and the levers and pins identical therewith. When the newly `unloaded reel 209 moves to the position in which the reel 228 is shown, the lobe 2| 1 (Fig. 9) is freed and the driven clutch member 200 moves back into operative engagement with the driver clutch member |91. Thus, when the next loaded one of the hook assemblies |3| and |82-|82 is advanced over the platform 2|0, the platform 2|0 is raised and unloads a reel therefrom.

When the hook assembly 30 (Fig. 2) is advanced past the loader 26 (Fig. 1) and before the trip rolls 45-45 strike the cams |81-I81,

lthe selector roll 34 and the support roll 32 simuli" taneously engage lobes 250 and (Fig. 11) of the rider '|89 and pivot a bell crank 252 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 11. This pushes a link 255 to the right, which pivots a bell crank 256 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 10. A yoke 251 of the bell crank 256 moves the driven clutch member |9| out of engagement with the driver clutch `member |88 against the action of the spring |93. The trip rolls 45-45 then engage the cams |81-I81 and move them from their full-line positions to their broken-line positions. However, the receiving platform 2|0| is not raised because the rolls 34 and 32 still engage the lobes 250 and 25| of the rider |89 and maintain the driven clutch member |9| out of engagement with the driver clutch member |88. Hence, reels carried by the hook assembly will not be unloaded by the unloader 26. The same is true of the hook assemblies |80-I80 whose selector rolls |8||8| are positioned on the track 23. The selector rolls |83-I83 of the hook assemblies |82-|82 are positioned on the track 24 so that the unloader 26 unloads reels from the hook assemblies |82-I82 as well as the hook assembly |3|.

The unloader 21 (Figs. 1 and 12) is identical with the unloader 26 except that a rider 268 thereof, winch is identical with the rider |89,

is positioned over the trackv 24 and in the path of the selector rolls and |83-I83 while the rider |89 (Fig. 1) is positioned over the track 23 and in the path of the selector rolls 84 and l0 selector roll associated therewith does not touch the rider 260, which is positioned over the track Isl-IBI. A1s0,.a link 26| 0f the unloader 2'l,`

When one of 'the hook assemblies 30 and |80-I80 is advanced to the unloader 21, the- 24, since the selector roll associated with this hook assembly rolls along only the track 23. Hence,

- the support roll associated with this hook assembly and positioned on the track 24 only rocks the rider 260 without raising'it, and the unloader 21 is operated by the trip rolls associated with this hook assembly. However, when one of the hook assemblies |3| and |82-I82 is advanced to the loader 21, the selector roll and the support roll associated therewith, which roll along the track 24, raise the rider 260 whereby the unloader 21 is rendered inoperative until that hook assembly has been advanced therepast.

Other unloaders (not shown), some of which are identical with the unloader 26 and the rest of which are identical with the unloader 21, are positioned between the unloaders 26 and 21. As described hereinabove, when the ramp 2 I6 is iilled, the platform 2|0 cannot be raised by the trip rolls associated with hook assemblies advanced therepast as the trip rolls are moved into engagement with the cams |81-|81, and the reels carried by the hook assemblies will not be discharged in the ramp 2|6. The hook assemblies |3| and |82-|82, after illling the ramp 2|6, discharge reels onto the next partly empty one of the unloaders identical with the unloader 26 until a time when all of the ramps of the unloaders, like the unloader 26, and the unloader 26 are filled. If all these ramps are filled, reels carried therepast by the hook assemblies |3| and |82-|82 are carried around the conveyer until a reel is taken from one of these ramps to render the unloader including that ramp operative. The ramps associated with the unloader 21 and the unloaders identical therewith are lled in a manner similar to that in which the unloader 26 and the unloaders similar thereto are filled but are filled by only the hook assemblies 30. and |-I80. v

A turner 215 (Fig. 1) positioned in advance of the unloader 22 is identical with the turner |86 and turns 180 the hook assemblies 30, |3|,- 80-I80 and |82-I82 as the hook assemblies are advanced therepast so that the hooks of the hook assemblies point in the direction in which they are advanced as they approach the loader 25.

In the operation of the conveyer system described hereinabove, the hook assemblies illustrated by the hook assemblies 30, |3I, H10-|80 and |82|82 are advanced past the loader 25. The loader may be set by moving the hand lever |6| in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, so as to load reels having one type of wire thereon exclusively upon the hook assemblies 30 and ISU-|80. These hook assemblies then ll the ramps (Fig. 1) associated with the unloader 21 and the unloaders identical therewith but do not have their reels unloaded by the unloader 26 and the unloaders identical therewith. Y

After the ramps associated with the unloader 21 and those identical therewith are filled, or before these ramps are filled, if so desired, reels having a different type of wire are placed one at a. time on the loader 25, after turning the hand lever |6| in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, to move the driven clutch member |55 out of engagement with the driver clutchmember |59 and into engagement with the driver clutch member |58. The loader 25 then loads the reels bearing the second ltype oi wire only on the hook assemblies |8| and |82-|82, which deposit reels upon only the unloader 26 and those identical 11 f therewith. Thus, a diierent type wire may be supplied to the machines associated with the unloader 26 and those like it from the type wire supplied to the machines associated with the unloader 21 and those like this unloader. The only attention required by the operator of the loader is to set the control mechanism |46 to load reels bearing one type wire on the hook assemblies 3U and Nil-|80 and to reset the control mechanism to load reels bearing the second type wire on the hook assemblies |3| and The above-described overhead conveyor system eiiects automatic selective loading and unloading of reels while the only discretion required of the operator of the loader 25 is that of setting the control mechanism |40 in one position for loading reels carrying one type wire and in the other position for loading reels carrying the second type wire.

If it is wished to use the above-described overhead conveyer systems to transport articles, such which a hook assembly 33| is shown, Il the drivenl clutch member 355 is set in engagement with the driver clutch member 358, each oi the hook assemblies 330-330 will close the switch 34| and prevent the operation of the loader 325 while the hook assemblies 33 |-33I will be loaded by the loader 325. If thedriven clutch member reels selectively upon either the hook assemblies as boxes, containers, packages or the like, forklike hooks (not shown) similar` to those disclosed in our copending application Serial No. 636,404, filed December 21, i945, may be substituted for the hooks of the hook assemblies 30, |3I, |80|80 and |82-|82, and the carriage 66 of the loader and the receiving platforms and the riders of the unloaders may be replaced by the corresponding elements disclosed in that application. Thus, the overhead conveyor system described hereinabove may be used to selectively load and unload many types of articles automatically.

An overhead conveyer system forming an alternative embodiment of the invention is disclosed in Figs. 13, 14, 15 and 16. This overhead conveyer system includes a loader 325 (Figs. 13 and 14) which is identical with the loader 25 excent that contacts 342-342 (Fig. 13) of a limit switch 34| of a control mechanism 348 are connected in series with a winding 3 |5 of a solenoid 3|6, which corresponds to the solenoid H6 (Fig. 3) of the first described embodiment. The contacts 342-342 are in parallel with a switch 385. which corresponds to the switch |05 (Fig. 3) in the firstdescribed embodiment so that Whenever the switch 305 or the switch 34| is closed. the winding 3|5 nf the solenoid 3|6 is energized whereby a valve 356 corresponding to the valve 56 is closed. Whenever the valve 356 is closed. a hoist 362 cannot be actuated. No solenoid corresponding to the solenoid |44 is included in the loader 325 and no valve corresponding to the valve 58 of the loader 25 is included in the loader 325. A pipe 351 of the loader 325 is connected directly to a supply of air under pressure (not shown).

The control mechanism 340 also includes riders 365 and 311 identical with the riders |65 and |10, respectively. The riders 365 and 311 are pivotally secured to arms 318 and 319. respectively, which are rigidly fastened to driver clutch members 358 and 359, respectively, of a three-member driving clutch. This three-member driving clutch includes a driven clutch member 355, which may be set in engagement with either the driver clutch member 358 or the driver clutch member 359, or in engagement with neither of the driver clutch members 358 and 359. When the driven clutch member 355 is set in a position out of engagement with both .of the driver clutch members 358 and 359, the loader 325 serves to'load reels on both hook assemblies, of which a hook assembly 330 is shown, and hook assemblies of 330-330 or upon the hook assemblies 33|-33l or non-selectively upon both the hook assemblies 33o-330 and the hook assemblies 33|-33l so that these hook assemblies may be loaded either selectively or non-selectively.

The last-described embodiment of the invention also includes a plurality of unloaders oi which an unloader 326 (Figs. 15 and 16) is shown. Each of the unloaders 326-326 is identical with the unloaders 26 and 21 except that a threemember driving clutch and riders 36|) and 389 are incorporated therein. This three-member driving clutch includes a driver clutch member 310, which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 363 and is rigidly secured to an arm 364 mounting the rider 389. A driver clutch member 31| mounted for free rotation on the shaft 363 is rigidly secured to an arm 355 supporting the rider 360. A driven clutch member 312 splined to the shaft 363 may be set in a position in engagement with either the driver clutch member 310 or the driver clutch member 31| or in a position in engagement with neither of the driver clutch members 31|) and 31|. An arm 353 fastened rigidly to the shaft 263 is connected to a link 36|, which corresponds to the link 26| (Fig. 12).

If the driven clutch member 312 (Fig. 15) is set in engagement with the driver clutch member 31|), the loader 326 willunload reels only from the hook assemblies 330-330 because each of the hook assemblies 33|-33I will cause a clutch 39| corresponding to the clutch |9I to be disengaged as it is advanced past the loader 326. If

the driven clutch member 312 is set in a position in engagement with the driver clutch member 31 only the hook assemblies 33 |-33I will be unloaded because each of the hook assemblies 330-338 will cause the clutch 39| to be disengaged as they are advanced past the unloader 326. If the driven clutch member 312 is set in a position in engagement with neither the driver clutch member 318 nor the driver clutch member 31|, the unloader 326 will unload reels from the hook assemblies 330-330 and also will unload reels from thehook assemblies 33|-33|. Hence, each of the unloaders 326-326 may be individually set to unload the reels from only one group of hook assemblies from only the other group of hook assemblies or from all of the hook assemblies.

In the operation of the last-described overhead conveyor system, it may be used either as a selective conveyer system or a non-selective system. If it is used as a non-selective conveyer system, the driven clutch member 355 (Figs. 13 and 14) of the loader 325 is set in a position out of engagement with both the driver clutch members 358 and 359 so that the loader 326 loads reels having one type of wire upon all the hook asassemblies 330-330 and 33l-33I may be unloaded by any of the unloaders 326-326.

If the last-described overhead conveyer system is used as a selective conveyer system, the driven clutch member 355 is set in engagement with the driver clutch member 353 part of the time so that the loader 325 loads reels carrying one type of wire only upon the hook assemblies 33 |-33l The driven clutch member 355 is set in engagement with the driver clutch member 359 when not in engagement with the driver clutch member 353 so that the loader 325 loads reels carrying a second type of wire upon only the hook assemblies 3311-330.

Each of the driven clutch members 312-312 is set in engagement with one of the driving clutch members 313-316 and 31|-31l so that each of the unloaders l326-326 is set to unload reels from only the hook assemblies 330-330 or 33l-33l`, depending on which type of wire is needed at that particular unloader.

The last-described conveyer system may be modified in a manner similar to that suggested possible hereinabove for the first-described conveyer system to adapt the last-described conveyer system to carry articles such as packages, containers, or the like.

In the last-described overhead conveyer system, the loader 325 may be set to load reels selectively or non-selectively and each of the unloaders 326-326 may be set to unload reelsv selectively or non-selectively. Hence, the entire overhead conveyer system may be used with a great deal of iiexibility as a selective conveyer system or as a non-selective conveyer system so that it may be adapted to changing manufacturing needs by simple adjustments.

What is'claimed is: 1. An overhead conveyer system, which comprises an endless chain. means for advancing the chain along a predetermined path, a plurality oi' hooks, means for securing the hooks to the chain at points spaced therealong, a loader positioned adjacent to said path for selectively positioningreels of different types in the path of the hooks. means for placing the hooks in positions in which the hooks point in the direction of travel of the chain when the hooks are being advanced past the loader, whereby one of the hooks being advanced past the loader enters the drum of a reel positioned in the path of the hook bythe loader and carries the reel from the loader, means for turning the hooks after the hooks leave the loader to positions in which the hooks are pointed in directions opposite to those in which the hooks are being advanced, and means positioned adjacent to said path for selectively lifting reels positioned on the hooks vfrom the hooks.

2.p An overhead conveyer system, which com- 14 are being advanced past the loader, whereby one of the hooks being advanced past the loader enters the drum of a reel positioned in the path of the hook by the loaderand carries the reel from the loader, means for turning the hooks after they leave the loader to positions in which the hooks are pointed in directions opposite to those in which the hooks are being advanced, aplurality oi means positioned adjacent to said path for lifting reels positioned on th hooks from the hooks, means associated with some of the hooks for preventing the operation of one of 'the lifting means, and means associated with others of the hooks for preventing the operation of another of the lifting means.

3. An overhead conveyer system, which comprises a hook for holding a reel, a second hook for holding a second reel, means for carrying the hooks seriatim along a predetermined path, a. loader for loading individually the reels upon the hooks, means-for driving the loader, means for preventing the operation of the loader-driving means, means for operating the preventing means. a tripper carried with the rst-mentioned hook, means operable by the tripper for actuating the operating means, a second tripper carried with the second hook, a second actuating means operable by the second tripper for actuating the operating means, and means for selectively connecting the iirst-mentioned actuating means and the last-mentioned actuating means to the operating means.

4. An overhead conveyer system, which comprises a hook for holding a reel, a second hook for holding a second reel, means for carrying the hooks seriatim along a predetermined path, a.A

loader for loading individually the reels upon the hooks, drive means for driving the loader, means for controlling the drivemeans, a tripper carried with the first-mentioned hook for operating the controlling means, a second controlling means for controlling the drive means, a second tripper carried with the second hook for operating the lastmentioned controlling means, and means for conprises means for advancing the chain along a predetermined path, a plurality of hooks, means for securing the hooks to the chain at points spaced therealong, a loader positioned adjacent to said path for selectively positioning reels of different types in the path of the hooks, means vfor placing the hooks in positions in which the hooks point in the direction of travel of the chain when the hooks necting selectively to the drivemeans the firstmentioned -actuating means and the last-mentioned actuating means.

5. An overhead conveyer system, which comprises a hook for holding a reel, a second hook for holding a second reel, means for carryingthe hooks seriatim along a. predetermined path, a loader for loading individually the reels upon the hooks, huid-pressure means including a supply line for driving the loader, and means for controlling the fluid-pressure means including'a. valve in the supply line, means for operating the valve, tripping means carried by the iirst hook on one side of the centerline of the path, second tripping means carried by the second hook on the otherside of the centerline of the path, a rider positioned in the path of the first tripping means, a second rider positioned in the path of the second tripping means, and means for selectively connecting the iirst rider and the second rider operatively to the valve-operating means.

6. An overhead conveyer system, which comprises a hook for holding a reel, a second hook for holding a second reeLmeans for carrying the hooks seriatim along a predetermined path, a

hoistl positioned adjacent to said path for depos- V iting the reels onthe hooks, iluid pressure means for driving the hoist, a supply line leading from the fluid pressure means to a supply of motive carried with the first-mentioned hook. trippable means positioned in the path of the trip means, a second trip means carried with the second hook, a second trippable means positioned in the path of the second trip means, and means for connecting selectively the first trippable means and the `second trippable means to the valve-actuating means.

7. An overhead conveyer system, which comprises a hook for holding a reel, a second hook for holding a second reel, means for carrying the hooks seriatim along a predetermined th, a hoist positioned adjacent to said path fo c positing the reels on the hooks, iiuid pressure means for driving the hoist, a supply line leading from the fluid pressure means to a supply'of motive fluid under pressure, a valve positioned in the Y supply line, means for actuating the valve, trip means carried with the flrst-mentioned hook, trippable means positioned in the path of the trip means, a, second trip means carried with the second hook, a second trippable means positioned in the path of the second trip means, a shaft for driving the valve-actuating means, a double-face driven clutch member splined to the shaft, a driver clutch member mounted rotatably on the shaft on one side of the driven clutch member and connected to the first trippable means, a second driver clutch member mounted rotatably on the shaft on the other side of the driven clutch member and connected to the second trippable means, and means for sliding the driven clutch member selectively into engagement with the first driver clutch member and the second driver clutch member.

8. An overhead conveyor system, which comprises means for holding an article, a second means for holding a second article, a roller chain carrying the article-holding means in spaced positions thereon, a pair of track members for guiding the chain therebetween, a pair of support rolls for supporting the rst article-holding means, one of the support rolls bearing on one of the track members and the other support roll bearing on the other track member, a second pair of support rolls for supporting the second article-holding means, one of said second pair o! support rolls bearing on one of the track members and the other support roll bearing on the other track member, means for advancing the chain along the track members, a loader for loading individually the articles upon the two articleholding means, fluid-pressure means having a suppl'y line therein for driving the loader, a normally closed valve positioned in the supply line, a trip roll carried with the first article-holding means, a trip roll carried with the second articleholding means, a cam normally positioned in the path o fA the trip rolls for opening the valve to actuate the loader when one of the trip rolls ystrikes the cam, a second cam connected to the 'first cam and movable thereby into the path of oi the trip rolls, a normally open limit switch for energizing the solenoid, means including a driven clutch member for closing the limit switch, a rider having a pair of lobes, a driver clutch member, means connected to the driver clutch member for supporting the rider pivotally at a point between the lobes thereof and in a position over one of the track members with the lobes thereof in the path of the support rolls on that track member, a second rider having a pair of lobes, a second driver clutch member, a second supporting means connected to the second driver clutch member for supporting the second rider pivotally at a point between the lobesV thereof and in a position over the other track member with the lobes of the second rider positioned in the path of the support rolls on that track member, means for moving the driven clutch member selectively into engagement with the rst driver clutch member and the second driver'clutch member, a selector roll associated with the rst article-holding means and supported by the track member over which the lrst rider is positioned for striking one of the lobes of the rst rider at the same time that the support roll associated with the first hook and positioned on the 1ast-mentioned track member strikes the other lobe, whereby the rst rider is raised to rotate the rst driver clutch member, and a second selector roll associated with the second article-holding means and 'supported by the track member over which the second rider is positioned for striking one of the lobes of the second rider at the same time that the support roll associated with the second article-holding means and supported by that track member strikes the other lobe of the second rider, whereby the second rider is raised to rotate the second driver clutch member.

9. An overhead conveyer system, which comprises means for carrying an article, a second article-carrying means for carrying a second article, an unloader, means for driving the unloader including a clutch and a trippable means operable through the clutch to actuate the unloader, means for advancing the hooks seriatim past the unloader, trip means carried with the rst article-carrying means for tripping the trippable means, a second trip means carried with the second article-carrying means for tripping the trippable means, a second trippable means for disengaging the clutch, and selector means carried by one of the article-carrying means for tripping the second trippable means to disengage the clutch.

10. An overhead conveyer system, which comprises a hook for carrying an article, a second hook for carrying a second article, an unloader, means for driving the unloader including a clutch and a trippable means operable through the clutch to actuate the unloader, means for advancing the hooks seriatim past the unloader, trip means carried with the rst hook for tripping the trippable means, a second trip means carried with the second hook for tripping the trippable means, a second trippable means for disengaging the clutch, selector means carried with the iirst hook for tripping the second trippable means, a third trippable means for disengaging the clutch, a second selector means carried with the second hook for tripping the third trippable means, and

means for selectivelyconnecting the second trippable means and the third trippable means to the clutch.

11. .An overhead conveyor system, which comprises an article-carrying means, a second articlei? carrying means therealong, means for advancing the chain, an unloader positioned beneath the track members, a second unloader positioned beneath the track members, means including a clutch therein for driving the iirst unloader, a second unloader-driving means including a second clutch therein for driving the second unloader, a rider positioned over the rst track member for rendering the first clutch inoperative, a second rider positioned over the second track member for rendering the second clutch inoperative, means carried on the first track member near the iirst article-carrying means for actuating the first rider, and a second rider-actuating means carried on the second track member near the second article-carrying means for actuating the second rider.

12. An overhead conveyer system, which comprises an article-carrying means, a second articlecarrying means, a track member, a second track member, a chain positioned between the track member for moving seriatim the two article-carrying means therealong, means for advancing the chain, an unloader positioned beneath the guide track, a second unloader positioned beneath the guide track, means including a clutch therein ior driving the unloader, means for disengaging the clutch, a pivotal rider having a pair of lobes positioned a predetermined distance apart and positioned over the first track member, a second pivotal rider having a pair oi' lobes positioned a predetermined distance apart and positioned over the second track member for rendering the second clutch inoperative, a pair of rolls spaced apart the same distance as that between the lobes of the first rider and carried on the first track member near the first article-carying means for actuating the first rider, a second pair of rolls spaced apart the same distance as that between the lobes of the second rider and carried on the second track member near the second articlecarrying means for actuating the second rider, a driver clutch member operatively secured to the iirst rider, a second driver clutch member operatively secured to the second rider, a driven clutch member movable selectively into engagement with the iirst driver clutch member and the second driver clutch member and out of engagement with both ot the driver clutch members for selectively connecting the driver clutch members operatively to the clutch-disengaging means.

13. An overhead conveyor system. which comprises an article-carrying means. a second articlecarrying means, a track member, a second track member, a chain positioned between the track member for moving seriatim the two articlecarrying means therealong, means for advancing the chain, an unloader positioned beneath the track members, a second unloader positioned beneath the track members. means including a clutch therein for driving the first unloader, a second unloader-driving means including a second clutch therein for driving the second unloader, a rider having a pair of lobes spaced a predetermined distance apart, means ior supporting the rider pivotally at a point thereon between the lobes thereof and in a position over the iirst track member and for rendering the iirst clutch inoperative when raised by the rider, a second rider ha a pair of lobes spaced a predetermined distance apart, means for supporting the second rider pivotally at a point thereon between the lobes thereof and in a position over the second track member and for rendering the second clutch inoperative when raised by the second rider, a pair of rolls spaced apart the same distance as the lobes on the iirst rider and carried on the rst track member near the first article-carrying means for raising the rst rider. and a second pair of rolls spaced apart the same distance as the lobes on the second rider and carried on the second track member near the second article-carrying means for raising the second rider.

14. An overhead conveyor system, which comprises means for carrying an article, a second means for carrying a second article, a track member, a second' track member, a chain positioned betwen the track members, means for connecting the article-carrying means to the chain at points spaced therealong, a pair of support rolls supported on the track members for supporting the first article-carrying means, a second pair of support rolls .supported on the track members for supporting the second article-carrying means, means for advancing the chain along the track members to advance the two article-carrying means along a predetermined path, a receiving platform positioned below the path of the articlecarrying means, means for raising the receiving platform including a cam, a driver clutch member secured to the cam and a driven clutch member urged into engagement with the driver clutch member, a trip roll carried with the iirst articlef carrying means for rotating the cam, a rider having a pair of lobes spaces a predetermined distance apart, means connected to the driven clutch member for supporting the rider pivotally at a point between the two lobes thereof and in a position over the first track member with the lobes of the rider positioned in the path of the supportrolls on that track member, and a selector roll carried with the rst article-carrying means along the first track member, said selector roll being spaced the same distance as that between the lobes ot the rider from that support roll oi the iirst pair of support rolls which is positioned on the first track member, whereby the selector roll and the last-mentioned support roll simultaneously engage the lobes oi the rider and move the driven clutch member out of engagement with the driver clutch member by the rider-supporting means. l VINCENT A. RAYBURN. DUER C. ROBBON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

